Foceps and Ventouse

These instruments are used during assisted deliveries, when you may be too tired to push or your baby is in distress or in a breech position. They are both attached to his head and help to pull him out and are often used with big babies who are hard to deliver and fragile, premature babies.

Forceps are large metal tongs, which look a little like a pair of big spoons. They are shaped to fit the baby’s head to help pull him out.

The ventouse is a cup, attached to a vacuum pump, which fits on the back of the baby’s head to help bring him out.